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Sierra Leone News: ACC Czar Hands over Le16Bn Stolen Money

The Anti-Corruption Commission, ACC, has presented to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio a second cheque of Le 7.5 billion as part of Le 16 Billion of cash so far recovered from corrupt officials.

Before his presentation in the presence of journalists and civil society members the ACC boss, Francis Ben Kaifala, told the President that since his assignment to lead the country’s anticorruption agency he had proven to be result-oriented, a vision that captured the sufferings of the people of Sierra Leone in the hands of corrupt public officials. He disclosed that his team had placed tremendous efforts on the cause and now the results were coming in.

Lawyer Kaifala said they had embarked on a three tracked approach with more focus on assets recovery, noting that with the blessings of President Bio they had been able to balance conviction with non-conviction asset recovery. He said that they had, therefore, been able to recover over sixteen billion Leones in the last twelve months.

“Today, we are handing another a cheque with additional Seven Billion Five Hundred Million Leones which the President will be able to identify what projects to invest in. We are also bringing out the ills of corruption for which we want to thank the President for the opportunity given to me and my team to lead the fight against corruption,” he said.

In his response, President Bio said he had declared corruption as a menace not only to the existence of the nation but also as a national security threat considering its negative impact on the country. He said he was trying to change the narrative about Sierra Leone and that the fight against corruption was something he would continue to pursue.

He stated that corruption was man-made that could destroy a country’s reputation and should not exist in society. He encouraged everyone to come on-board to fight corruption as a common enemy, especially at a time when he was trying to repair the country’s image around the world.

“We have to tackle corruption with every strength we have, which means it has to involve everyone. We must take the fight against corruption as seriously as we can if we are serious about providing social services to our people so we cannot allow corruption to become fashionable. We will continue to give more powers to the ACC to go after corrupt individuals,” he assured.

Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Patricia Lavaley, said that the event was the second attempt at collecting funds from the ACC into the consolidated revenue fund to help finance the much needed development initiatives across the country. She said the funds collected would be used to finance the new diagnostic centre in the country as mandated by President Bio.

It could be recalled that in December last year, the ACC presented its first cheque of over Le7.5 billion of recovered monies.

 

 

 

 

Sierra Leone News: ‘IG Moigbeh Must Resign or Shown the exit Door…’ – C4C Sec. Gen

Inspector General of Police, Richard Moigbeh,

Intense and widespread discussions are currently ongoing relating to what is considered to be a very unfortunate incident that occurred few days ago during which Police fired tear gas canisters against supporters of the former Vice President, Alhaji Sam Sumana in Port Loko.

Chief Sam Sumana, on that fateful day, returned to the country, disembarking at the Lungi International airport after different overseas engagements and his supporters were out there to welcome him.

In Port Loko he had an intention to watch a football match when the Police immediately started firing teargas on the huge jubilant crowd that was with him.

What this medium has so far gathered from various individuals was that most people are totally against the action of the Police especially against the backdrop that it came in the wake of what has been tagged ‘recent Police excesses’ meted out on peaceful citizens which are indeed tantamount to flagrant violation of fundamental human rights.

Commenting and trying to explain their position, the Police have come out with a press release justifying the action they took. They purported that when Alhaji Sam Sumana reached Port Loko, he insisted on entering the township with a view to address the Coalition for Change (C4C) party supporters in that part of the country, and to also attend a football match between Bai Bureh Warriors and another team at the Port Loko Mini Stadium, of which, the police came to understand that he was to do the kick-off.

It was stressed, that that was without any prior notice to the Sierra Leone Police which is against the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965.

The release added that the former Vice President was then cautioned by senior SLP officers not to participate in the aforementioned events as other anti C4C supporters had planned to hijack and disrupt the entire programme.

According to them there was already a convergence of a hostile crowd and tension was brewing emphasizing how his safety and security and that of others became of paramount concern to them.

It was also highlighted that in spite of several warnings, he refused to abide by police instructions and thereafter disembarked from his vehicle and headed towards the township on foot, followed by a hostile crowd.

“At this point, the SLP leadership again stopped and reminded him of an imminent public disorder and threat to his safety and security and that of others. Unfortunately, he did not heed to the pleas and warning of the Police but rather continued to walk to the township; thus continuing to attract more hostile crowd. As the security situation deteriorated, we fired teargas to disperse the crowd which brought the situation under control. As routine demands, his convoy was intercepted at Mile 38 Checkpoint, and then allowed safe passage to Freetown,” the Sierra Leone Police narrated.

Strongly debunking the stance of the Police, Secretary General of the Coalition for Change (C4C), the political party that Chief Sam Sumana heads, vehemently argued that as far as they are concerned their leader did nothing wrong that should amount to any breach of the law. He underscored that they are very peaceful and will always abide by that maintaining how the Police were very jittery questioning them the reason for exhibiting such when it was very clear that there was no imminent danger looming. Highpoint of his argument was when he unequivocally called for the IG to resign or for the immediate recall or sacking of the Inspector General of Police, Richard Moigbeh, for what he pointed out in no uncertain terms, to be sheer his incompetence and professional inadequacy. “The Police needs to go back to the drawing board and redefine, reorganise their strategies in order to carry out their duties professionally instead of continuing to violate the fundamental human rights of peaceful individuals,” he strongly recommended stressing that Chief Sam Sumana is entitled to his Freedom of Movement and there was no justifiable reason on the part of the Police to have prevented him from exercising it.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Sengheh Marah of the Renaissance Movement, a rights-based organisation as well as other personalities against what they say is untoward Police highhandedness and dancing to political dictates.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Alpha Timbo Lauded

Alpha Timbo

Sierra Leoneans across the globe have lauded the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education under the leadership of Alpha Timbo as one entity that is working towards President Bio’s New Direction manifesto.

It could be re-called that one of the main campaign messages of President Bio when he was in opposition was the implementation of the Free Quality Education for primary and secondary pupils.

After winning the March 2018 general elections, President Bio wasted no time in fulfilling his promise to implement the FQE,

But again ministers of government are just like wife to husband; wherein they say behind any successful man there must be a hard-working woman. In order for a president to succeed, he needs a strong team of ministers and MDAs and so President Bio made no mistake in appointing Alpha Timbo as Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education,

The starting phase of any implication is one which is very much challenging and the FQE is one such project, ranging from infrastructural, lack of learning and teaching materials, lack of training and qualify teachers, lack of funding in the education sector and limited knowledge in the sector. All these are problems inherited by the Ministry. Since his appointment, Minister Timbo has worked very hard in making sure the president succeeds in the education sector.

He added that the ministry is planning to increase access to free GoSL pre-primary education for children 3 to 5 years old from 15% in 2020 by developing a costed action plan to guide the expansion of pre-primary education services, including strategies for expanding public pre-school education in primary schools and increasing opportunities through other forms of services also transition levels from primary to JSS and also developing a national strategy and action plan, and ensuring that 100% of schools implement measures to prevent school related economic and sexual related offences by sensitising learners on their rights and referral channels at JSS, SSS, TVET, HEIs and learning centres.

The ministry through support from government and donor partners have approve over two thousand teacher for effective teaching and brings in some reform in the sector,

Based on his background as Secretary General, the Sierra Leone Teachers Union, (SLTU), Minister of Labour Social Security and Industrial Relations championed the Liberation Movement of Teachers and the Union. Together they transformed the SLTU to a more formidable organization that took its rightful position in society and the International Trade Union Movement, among the reforms introduced in the union and the teaching profession. His background made his job easy for him.

 

Sierra Leone News: 400 Families Benefit from Orange Special Sunakati

One of Sierra Leone’s GSM operators, Orange SL, on Friday 14th June 2019 ended its final Orange Special Sunakati draw at the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), with five subscribers emerging as the lucky winners for one year’s worth of food items and money for sauce to their families.

Speaking to a cross-section of journalists at the final draw, Sheik Omaru Jalloh, Mass Marketing and Bundle Executive for Orange-SL, said the draw embraced the highest food donation ever offered by any GSM company in the country, with over 400 families becoming beneficiaries ranging from customers, retailers and agents.

The promotion was launched on Thursday 2nd May 2019 at the Calaba Town round-about. The daily draws were conducted within 6 weeks; while the weekly draw ended within 5 weeks during the draws’ final grand draw at the SLBC. 5 lucky subscribers won one year food supply for their families with cash for each of them.

All beneficiaries had the opportunity to win various food items like rice, sugar, milk, Ovaltine, tomato, onions, Maggi, gallons of oil, cash and all that is needed in food preparation during the month of Ramadan.

He stated that the only requirement for subscribers was to just buy Le.1,000 top-up through E-Voucher and for Orange Money customers, ‘you only need to make at least do Le10,000 worth of  transactions. Retailers need to satisfy Orange’s minimum of Le2,000,000 and sales need to be done per week for agents a minimum of Le5, 0000, 000. Sales need to be done par week.

He stated that Orange also offers voice and date promotion as Ramadan Special Sunakati,

Subscribers can enjoys 48 hours interrupted Orange to Orange calls, through the Sunday Cola by dialling *400# for Le8,500 or buy via Orange money #144# for just Le7,500.

Instant 50% bonus on every data bundle you buy using Orange Money #144#, Wednesday100%  bonus via Orange money through the shot code #144#, 20 Minutes talk time +30MB + 30 sms for just Le3,990. by dialling  *888# to subscribe this are all special offers drivers with the Orange Ramadan Special Offers.

We want to make sure the least Sierra Leonean have the opportunity to communicate because it a human right declaration, that is why our network is been consider  to be the best in Africa,

Orange is a generous family  during the Ramadan we donation Food Items to Muslims community Nationwide and we always undertake meaningful projects in executing  our Cooperate Social Responsibilities that is; we have succeeded in changing the telecom landscape.

 

Sierra Leone News: Mining Companies Vow to Cease Operations

Hon. Foday Rado Yokie-Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources

Various mining companies operating in different parts of the country have expressed grave concern over the cancellation of mining licenses and  have threatened to cease operations and eventually pull out of the country in the next couple of months because of what they referred to as the excesses of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources in cancelling  mining licenses.

In an exclusive interview with many CEOs of these mining companies operating in the country to get their take about the cancellation of  mining licenses by the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, they all expressed strong reservations and even threatened to unleash Plan B, to pull out, if the action of the Minister continues.

According to reliable sources, the Minister’s action is influenced by certain officials in the Ministry who because of obvious reasons are not comfortable with the operations of many genuine mining companies. Since these individuals, who used to get kickbacks from mining companies, are no longer benefitting this has led them to be very aggrieved and are doing everything possible to persuade the Minister to go after those companies.

The CEOs furthered that the action of the Minister to cancel mining licenses is a breach of the mining laws because according to them there are procedures as to how a mining license can be cancelled which is clearly indicated in the National Minerals Agency Act 2009 .As a matter of fact the Agency has a Board charged with the responsibility to look at general issues in the Mining industry.

They noted that even if the Board wants to take such a radical action to cancel or revoke any mining licenses it should meet and thoroughly look at any issue reported against a company to decide if there is any breach that must warrant revoking or cancelling the mining license of that company.

“We firmly believe that the National Mineral Agency has the powers and authority to take such action and not singlehandedly by the Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources,” one of them intimated.

Most mining companies have their investment partners overseas and such an action by the Minister, if it continues unabated ,will certainly drive off or even scare genuine investors wanting to come with their huge capital investment portfolios in the country thereby depriving the government from getting much needed revenue as well stifling job opportunities for youths in the country.

How could he as a new Minister just embark on such an action to cancel mining licenses when those licenses were officially given to these companies after complying with all the policies and laws governing the mining industry in the country, is what another investor rhetorically asked.

Sierra Leone News: FAO TRAINS WOMEN LAND RIGHTS ADVOCATES 

Participants and some FAO staff at the training

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with the International Labor Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone with support from the Peace Building Fund (PBF), on Friday 14th June 2019 concluded a 3-days Training of Trainers (ToT) on Gender and Land Rights within the framework of implementing the PBF project on  ‘Creating Peaceful Societies Through Women’s Improved Access to Management of Natural Resources, Land Tenure Rights and Economic Empowerment in Sierra Leone.’

The training brought together 33 women from four (4) districts of Bombali (North), Port Loko (North West), Bo (South) and Kenema (East) were the project is being implemented. The interactive Training of Trainers was held at FAO’s 38A Freetown Road Headquarters in Freetown. In her welcome statement and opening remarks, the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, Dr. Nyabenyi Tito Tipo revealed that she was honored to be present at the training and pointed out that women being mothers should make change in their communities underscoring that the training would eip participants with the knowledge to advocate for land issues.

The FAO Representative emphasized that land is important for agriculture of which majority of farmers are women. She continued that all good things depend on land but unfortunately women continue to face challenges to acquire and manage land, the reason for the project and urged the women to speak with one voice to manage and use land as well as work as one firmly united collective force and train others reiterating that they would be changed agents at the end of the training.

According to Dr. Nyabenyi, the training would include topics on the National Land Policy and the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the context of national food security (VGGT) and encouraged the women to actively participate in the discussions.

The ILO Country Manager, Mr. Paul Mayanja underscored the need for women to know their rights before being empowered, revealed that ILO would empower them to invest in land and strengthen their entrepreneurship and business skills. He observed that women are marginalized and emphasized that participants should replicate the training on land rights for women to make the right decisions.

Mr. Jobo Samba from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Environment commended the Development Partners for their continued support to government, especially the Ministry of Lands, underlining that all developments are on land and informed that the National Land Policy which was developed in 2015 and launched in 2017 aims to address the numerous challenges relating to land and that implementation has commenced.

Mr. Jobo Samba went on to state that the results of the pilot project to protect customary land rights conducted in 2018 in selected chiefdoms was very good, and about 12,000 acres of land were surveyed and mapped within 6 months using FAO’s Solutions for Open Land Administration (SOLA) and Open Tenure software tools. Mr. Samba explained that 90% of land in the provinces is held under customary land tenure rules and practices and disclosed that this year, the Ministry of Lands wants to expand on the lessons learnt during the pilot phase of project in 2018 to additional 8 chiefdoms.

According to Mr. Samba, the training would empower the women how to access land and appealed to them to sensitize others in their respective communities stressing that they must take advantage of this opportunity.

Dr. Samuel Mabikke, the FAO, Land Tenure Officer enlightened that land governance is about rules, processes and structures through which decisions are made about access to land and its use and ways in which competing demands and conflicts are solved. He disclosed that Sierra Leone is an attractive destination for Large Scale Land Based Investments (LSLBI) but emphasized that these agricultural investments must serve the interest of the people especially the poor. He went further to explain challenges facing land governance including rapid population growth, unregulated urbanization, and climate change among others.

Dr. Mabikke cited that over 70% of Africa’s population lives in informal settlement while statistics show that only 6% of Americans live in informal settlements. In Sierra Leone,7 out of every 10 people live in slums due to rapid rural-urban migration especially among the youths. Rural areas have been depleted of young generations who would play a key role in transforming food and agriculture in Sierra Leone.

He emphasized the need for incorporation of a pro-poor and gender equality approach as cross-cutting principle of good governance in order for the rule of law, transparency, accountability, equity and justice to flourish and improve land management and administration solutions.

Highlighting the objectives and expected outcomes of the workshop, the Peace Building Fund Project Coordinator, Ibrahim Bangura said it would increase the knowledge and awareness of women on global and national principles, policies and practices such as the Voluntary Guidelines (VGGT), National Land Policy and existing legal frameworks for securing land and property rights.

He furthered that the workshop would also identify measures to support gender equity when working with customary institutions, describe how to develop institutional capacity for gender-equitable land tenure governance as well as enhance the skills of women to negotiate and advocate for gender equitable customary and statutory land laws.

Topics covered during the 3-days training include Background and Overview of the Peace Building Fund Project; Securing Women’s Customary Land Rights in the Context of Implementing the National Land Policy; Rights and Gender in Sierra Leone; Land Rights in the Constitution; Land Policy and Legal Framework; Land Governance, Tenure and Ownership  Systems; Property Rights and Gender in Sierra Leone; Property Rights in Marriage and Family; the Role of Land Administration  Institutions and Advocacy Responsibilities of a Community Land Rights Leader.

Other facilitators were Kadija Isata Jalloh, National Gender and Land Rights Trainer and Daniel Sesay of NAMATI.

Ms. Simonetta Rossi -the Peace and Development Advisor from the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, revealed that the Office of the Resident Coordinator is pleased to be actively involved in the PBF project. She also observed that participants are from diverse backgrounds, that women should be recognized as agents of change to have access to land and how to manage their resources asserting that it is very encouraging that women are participating in the productive life of Sierra Leone.

Ms. Simonetta Rossi reechoed that women produce food and take care of children and hoped that more women leaders would emerge to take additional national decisions, stressed that the main aim of the project is Sustaining Peace and observing that land reforms are progressing gradually for which women should demonstrate leadership.

In his closing remarks, the Assistant FAO Representative for Programs, Mr. Joseph Brima commended participants pointing out that although majority of farmers are women they do not own land and recalled the past when land disputes were settled in secret society shrines.

He also stated that women have proved their strength and that women leaders are passionate about issues citing the Holy Bible where women played great roles and appealed to participants to serve as ambassadors of FAO, be proactive as well as replicate the training.

Highlights of the training were the presentation of certificates to participants, assessment of learning outcomes and end line evaluation survey while the vote of thanks was rendered by one of the participants, Adama Sesay, who promised on behalf of all that they would replicate the training in their respective communities.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: “Press Freedom Must go with a Responsibility” Acting Youth Minister Cautions SLAJ

Cross section of SLAJ executive receiving the donated items

The Acting Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Lusine Kallon, whilst donating to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) encouraged journalists to stand up for responsible journalism and also do their job with patriotism and sincerity.

He donated two calculators, cartoons of A4 packets, 4 packets of pens, flip charts and paper files as his own support to SLAJ’s triennial general conference slated for Friday 12th July to Saturday 13th July at 9am, on the theme: “Social Media and the Future of Journalism in Sierra Leone.”

He informed that President Julius Maada Bio believes in press freedom but that freedom must go with a responsibility. He encouraged all media practitioners to support SLAJ and the Independent Media Commission in their fight for a responsible journalism.

He strongly reminded his audience that journalism is a profession and not every Jack and Jill will just wake up and say I am a Journalist.

“I am not here to make a speech but to demonstrate our support to SLAJ as a potent force to reckon with,” said Minister Kallon.

He said Sierra Leone was the hub of Journalism in Africa and in 1860s journalists from all over Africa gained employment to practice professional journalism in our own country.

Some years later, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) was founded on June 5th 1971 to protect and promote freedom of expression and of the press.

“The question we have not been able to ask ourselves is, what actually went wrong?” He appealed that “we find an answer to this particular question during our conference.”

Professional journalism is a huge challenge not only for SLAJ but even us as a Government. He noted that there are success stories so far but encouraged journalists to practice within the remit of the law.

He used the platform to congratulate the next SLAJ president and officially handed over the items as his own personal support to the SLAJ triennial conference.

Receiving the items on behalf of the SLAJ Secretariat, the Public Relations Officer, Miss. Princess Gibson admitted that there are challenges with ethical journalism but said SLAJ is working collaboratively with the IMC to ensure that quality reforms take place in the media industry.

She commended Minister Kallon and his entourage for such a timely gesture and confirmed that the Government has approved SLAJ’s subvention and plans are underway to process the documentation for onward transfer to their account.

 

Sierra Leone News: BOLINGO CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION COMMORATES THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

On Sunday 16th June 2019 the Bolingo Children Foundation -Sierra Leone (BCF-SL) commemorated the Day of the Africa Child with the theme: ‘’The Importance of the Africa Child’s Day and the Fight against Early Marriage, Teenage Pregnancy and Domestic Violence’’ at the Court Barray in Kamakwie Town ,Karene District.

It could be recalled that 16 June 1976 thousands of black school children in Soweto, South Africa, took to the streets to protest against the inferior quality of their education and to demand their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of them were shot down; and in the two weeks of protest that followed, more than a hundred people were killed and many injured. To honour their courage and in memory of those killed, in 1991 the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union) established the Day of the African Child. The Day also draws attention to the lives of African children today.

Speaking at the ceremony Mr. Laima A.K. Dumbuya Programme Director for the Foundation disclosed that it was established to support deprived and vulnerable children whose parents cannot afford to educate them. He further said they are proud to say that they are presently supporting 168 children within the Kamakwie Township

He further added that the Foundation will not be only based in Karene District as they are working tremendously to ensure that they extend their activities to other parts of the country but called on individuals, institutions to support them.

Joseph K. Turay, a representative from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender & Children’s Affairs, Karene District, thanked the Foundation and said as a Ministry they believe that one of the ways they can develop the country is by working together to protect the rights of children.

He described the international theme of the commemoration: “Humanitarian Action in Africa: Children’s Rights First” as timely and called on Sierra Leoneans to ensure that the rights of children are protected also noting that the theme of the Foundation is also very timely as early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and domestic violence are some of the major abuses children in Sierra Leone are suffering from today.

He ended by calling on stakeholders, Ministries, local authorities to put hands on deck in order the promote children’s issues.

John Dito Kamara, Karene District Chairman expressed thanks and appreciation to members of  the Foundation for their tremendous work they having been doing in supporting children in that part of the country.

He said as a Council they are committed to ensure that they support children stating how in that vein they have been implementing various projects like facilitating the construction of bore holes in primary schools, providing labs for disable children in schools within the Kamakwie municipality.

He called on parents to send their children to school as it is a law as according to the 2004 Education Act which states ‘’any parent who does not send his/her child to school is a crime and you are liable to a fine of Le500, 000 or three months in prison or if it pleases the Magistrate to apply both.’’  He said Council will start to implement that rigorously

He ended by registering their commitment as a Council to the Foundation and pleaded to them to extend their support in other chiefdoms.

Abdul .A. Bah National President Sella Development for Education and Progress (SEDEP) disclosed that in as much as they have their right they must know that their right goes with responsibilities and they should not misuse their rights as children calling on them to ensure that they take this opportunity seriously and make good use of it in order to become great people in society.

He further called on parents to allow their children to join (SEDEP) as the organization will help mentor and empower them greatly and pledged his commitment on behalf of the organization to always give their support, service to the success of the Foundation.

Chief Executive Officer, Bolingo Children Foundation (BCF) disclosed that he is doing this as a way of giving back to society and committed himself to ensure that he helps deprived and vulnerable children.

He further disclosed his commitment to ensure that the Foundation will not look at children within the Sella limba chiefdom but also in other parts of the country. He called on parents to nurture their children and encourage them to take their studies serious revealing how the organization is self-sponsored because of that they are under taking fund raising activities in order to continue their support towards the welfare of the children.

He ended by calling on parents, stakeholders, local authorities to grab the opportunity in order for the children to become great people in society.

Mr. Danny Sebeh Dumbuya in his keynote address said that society is sick today and if attention is not drawn we cannot progress.

He further said the Foundation has the potential to transform that part of the country as the organization is working on three key areas that enhance the development of children which are education, livelihood activities and health.

He also thanked the Chief Executive Officer for the establishment of the Foundation as he said it has contributed towards the development of children in that part of the country.

He also highlighted the responsibility of parents towards their children whom he said they need to have time to monitor and supervise.

He concluded by calling on the local authorities in the chiefdom to ensure that they work with the Foundation for the betterment of their children.

The celebration was climaxed by an inter-primary school drama competition which was geared towards empowering them and broadening their understanding in the field of drama. Seven primary school participated and awards as well as prizes were distributed to the winners of the competition.

Sierra Leone News: SLBL Embarks on Robust Sorghum Pre-Planting Media Campaign

The country’s leading brewer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) is currently on its periodic sorghum pre-planting media campaign up the provinces to sensitize, educate, admonish and encourage farmers to grow sorghum especially during this time of the year when we are in the rainy season.

A team of SLBL personnel are presently touring the South- East touring Kailahun, Kenema, Pujehun, Bo and Moyamba where they are engaging farmers, disclosing vital information highlighting the essence and benefits that could be accrued from growing sorghum.

“We are disseminating information through local radio stations in all those places in our tour to enlighten farmers and so far the responses we have being receiving have been very encouraging showing that many are now becoming interested to grow sorghum,” SLBL Assistant Corporate Affairs Manager,Unisa Conteh informed this medium through a telephone conversation adding that they are also engaging youth farm groups, talking to farmers, community authorities and stakeholders.

In Kailahun district, SLBL launched Salone Beer, which has 100% sorghum content, during a well-attended ceremony that was held at the Kailahun Court Barray.

Launching the beer, statements were made by the various personalities: the Chief Administrator in Kailahun, John Lahai Swaray, the Brands and Innovations Manager, Aminata Kasim-Carew who was the MC of the program, Albert Collier who gave the keynote address and launched the beer.

Earlier John Taylor, Area Sales Manager (Provinces), did the introduction and welcome address.

Right at this moment, the number of sorghum farmers and farm families stands at over 25,000 in different parts of the country but SLBL is keen on bringing more farmers on board to cultivate sorghum.

 

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Stiff Policies & Conditions May Kill Vibrant Companies -Sierra Leone Bottling Company:  A Case in Point

Sierra Leone Bottling Company Limited

One thing that is very certain is the fact that if pressures, in the form of stiff conditions and policies are piled and placed on productive companies that are doing extremely well in this country, especially those that are locally owned, then there is the likelihood that they may either fold up or reorganize at the detriment of some workers who will definitely be shown the exit door or affect the country’s revenue base since payment of taxes will no longer be forthcoming.

At this material time when the country’s legal tender, the Leone, has really depreciated to the dollar many local companies are finding it extremely difficult to operate efficiently and effectively as well as compete with other foreign owned companies producing the same products and services these affected companies are producing.

It may not be said openly but it is implicit that the Sierra Leone Bottling Company Limited, which has been in operation for the past twenty years, recently decided to restructure to such an extent that most of its workers were sacked. According to the Management of the company changes were effected as part of a strategic program designed to ensure the long term sustainability of their business so that they can better serve the people of this country.

At the moment one of the most viable indigenously owned companies that has been doing extremely well in terms of timely service delivery of petroleum products and customer care, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL) is going through trying times. NP SL Limited recorded a massive loss from January to May 2019 to the tune of over Le 96 billion (Ninety six billion Leones). A major factor said to be responsible for this scenario is the fact that there has been a huge difference between the actual price of PLATTS and the average purchase price of USD $ to the Leone when matched against that of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency Pricing Formula.

The NP-SL as a result is currently paying an average of Le9, 000 to $1 (USD) as compared to L8, 600 to $1 (USD) in the PRA Pricing Formula. Another challenge facing NP-SL Limited is volatility and unavailability of US Dollars to effect transactions.

It is so serious that NP-SL Limited currently owes its suppliers over $42M which NP-SL Limited is challenged to honour.

From a thorough research that was conducted over time it was understood that in the past when the industry was faced with some challenges and in order to avoid fuel crisis the Government always steps in to subsidise the prices of petroleum products to ensure that the pump prices are at affordable level to the general populace but for now that is not the case.

What again came out is that if the route is not desirable, the Government increases the pricing regimes to reflect the real market prices of petroleum products in the market, to ensure the industry does not collapse.

As it is right now, Oil Marketing companies are subsidising virtually all sectors in the industry to the detriment of its own survival.

“If the current fiscal regime is not reviewed many companies including NP will go down such a painful and dreadful route,” stated Steven Williams , a Development Consultant, furthering that indeed sound policies must be urgently rolled out to ensure stability.

It was also discovered that the nature of NP-SL’s business is such that NP-SL imports petroleum products in US Dollars, sells in Leones and has to then convert the Leones into US Dollars to continue the buying and selling processes all over again.

Williams maintained how it is regrettable that the company is finding it extremely difficult to purchase US Dollars in the market place currently. It is a fact that over the years, NP-SL received tacit support from the Central Bank even though the amounts normally received were inadequate.

It is recommendable for the Central Bank to develop a mechanism where foreign currency is provided for the oil marketing companies to enable them pay for badly-needed petroleum products.

Of course to promote transparency of goods that are brought into the country and required taxes that must be paid to Government the ASYCUDA digital software was introduced at the Port.

However what we learnt in our investigations was that the method of implementation of the ASYCUDA system has been negative on NP-SL’s speed to market initiatives; the reason why it is recommendable that the relevant authorities build solid capacity amongst their team to ensure seamless flow of products free of interruption and long delay.

The current pricing formula dictates that the pump price of petroleum products be adjusted upwards or downwards periodically as and when the combined effect of the changes in world market prices (quoted in PLATTS) and the exchange rate (measured by the average selling rates quoted by the Oil Marketing Company, commercial banks and Bank of Sierra Leone) cause a +/- 5% change in the Leone-Based landed cost of the product (s).

It was noted that prices should be changed upwards or downwards in small increments that will not create panic in the market place. The way it is currently, allows for a big jump at any time which makes it difficult for Government to effect change at the right time.

It may interest readers to note that while a litre of fuel is sold at Le7,000.00 here, in Guinea is sold at Le9,120.00 , in Liberia it is Le9,321.00, Ivory Coast sells at Le9,244.20 and Ghana at Le 9,136.44.

To add salt to injury, NP-SL is further encumbered with other charges that are not provided for in the price build up formula, and these include: Toll Gate fees, ASYCUDA processing fees, Environmental Protection Agency fees, storage fees and other fees imposed by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency.

As it was stated inter alia Government really need to relax some of its policies, conditions that are being implemented especially those affecting vibrant companies in the country as well as ensuring that economic measures are rolled out in order for the Leone to be weighty instead of continuous depreciation that we have been witnessing. Failure to take drastic steps to protect locally owned companies will definitely lead to closure or restructuring with dire consequences that could take the form of labour downsizing, no more payment of taxes to Government etc.

 

 

 

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